Synonyms for whirlwind

Most common

vortex · maelstrom · tornado · cyclone

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

Definitions

1. n. 1

   A person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.

   swept up in the whirlwind of war

2. n. 2

   A windstorm of limited extent, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air.

Forms

Plural

whirlwinds → maelstroms, vortexes, tornadoes, cyclones…

Example sentences

• vortex The domineering man pulls everyone into his vortex.
• maelstrom The maelstrom of passions is not what we need now.
• tornado With his camera, Tom captured a tornado in action.
• cyclone A powerful Scandinavian cyclone is approaching.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

6 letters

vortex²

7 letters

tornado³, typhoon², cyclone²

9 letters

maelstrom²

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (vortex² = 2 syllables).